Fashion Tops Advice

"How to Build a Solid and Stylish Closet with Tops that Look Good on You"

Courtesy of via Macy's

We tend to go crazy with those cheap and cute fashion tops right?

Yes, they can completely change the look and feel of your outfit, but stuffing in heaps of tops in your shopping cart without strategic planning can be a costly affair for your wallet and not least, a clutter for your closet.

Want to look for the latest top styles and shop instead?

In this guide you'll find the best shopping strategies to selecting the best tops for your personal style - and also fashion advice on getting the most out of your tops.

What Fashion Tops to Invest In?

There's a myriad of various top styles out there. It can be overwhelming but oh-so-exciting! The problem here is that most of us tend to overdo it by buying too many tops without really thinking. Yup, they're cheap, cute and everywhere. But still..

.. If you want to get the most out of what you buy, it's super-important to choose the styles that complement your
personal style and secure the ones that will stand the test of fashion trends. Not only will this help you save time & money, but it'll prevent you from experiencing the classic I-don't-have-anything-to-wear-closet-syndrom!

Let me give you some tips on how to build a workable wardrobe with fashion tops that you really want and love to wear:

How to Build a Solid Closet with Tops

If you're on a low budget and want to get the most out of your clothes, you first need to secure simple, timeless tops in neutrals that cover your major daily activities and needs.

What's so great about these pieces is that they can easily be accessorized into multiple outfits, and are sooo much flexible in creating various looks. Some classic top styles can even be worn from day to night, going from casual to dressy outfit - and are (if accessorized and put together right) appropriate for most occasions.

Here are the 3 types of fashion tops that you should get first before any other trendy ones:

1. Casual, Basic tops

Basic tees in solids with no or minimal details. These are the backbone of your closet, girls.

Courtesy of Urban Outfitters

You need them for effortless layering with your skirts, jeans, pants, cardigans, and yes even dresses. There's absolutely no reason to feel guilty in splurging on these basic tops.

Basics include:

Camisoles

Tank tops

Short sleeve tees

Long sleeve tees

Basic casual tops are great for everyday daily wear and if you accessorize and match them right then they can be worn on dressier occasions.

Their blank canvas is perfect for for showing off your pretty accessories such a statement necklace or a trendy scarf. I mean, you can never go wrong with this:

Because basics make your outfits (even if you don't realize it) and they get worn daily, buy as many as you can. For example 3x black camisoles (add one with lace neckline if you like!), 3x black v-neck tees, etc. And please do buy several of the same tee style - it'll ward off laundry days!

And then work on adding fashion tops that make great fashion statements and really show off your personal taste.

2. Dressy Tops:

After checking off the basics, it's time to work on adding prettier tops that are great for dressier and semi-formal occasions, which include:

Courtesy of ASOS

Office

Dinner out in town

Your aunt's birthday bash

Dates

Meeting your in-laws

Anyone you want to give a appropriate and sophisticated impression to.
Or when you want to look extra pretty!

Dressy tops also include:

Dress shirts

Blouses

Any top that looks cute and dressy

Again, your choice of dressy tops depends on your major daily activities, lifestyle and personal style, and of course what looks good on you. But I highly recommend you to secure them in solid neutrals (black, dark navy blue, white/cream, etc.) to get the most out of them.

Super-Proof Your Closet:

If you really want to build a super-chic closet and stay covered all-year-around, then these are your essentials:

The dress shirt is versatile and polishes almost any outfit. It's also an essential covering those inevitable job interviews!

The white blousy tunic is a great spring and summer closet staple for chic fashionistas, but are great for transitioning from Summer to Fall. It's casual and pretty!

If you like the polished and chic look, buy various styles and versions of the dress shirt and blouse, like this pink pussy bow blouse shirt:

Courtesy of TopShops

3. Party Tops

They're dressier and "festive" than dressy tops, worn on occasions such as:

Clubbing

Parties

Tight-fitted clubwear is an example of party tops. They show more skin as well.

Courtesy of ASOS

Examples are:

Plunging neckline - show off your décolletage

Cut outs - flaunt your waist

Open back - accentuate your toned back

One-shoulder - showcase your strong and fit shoulders

Bustier/sweetheart neckline - enhance your bust

A strategy is to buy them in styles that accentuate your best assets. That'll help you shine on the dance floor!

Trendy vs. Basic Tops

I rarely purchase tops that are complicated in details, such as trendy prints and embellishments. They often limit your mixing & matching - simply, because they're a bit harder to multiply in outfits and also because they're not "neutral" enough to be worn on various occasions.

Courtesy of Bankfashion.co.uk, Welikefashion.com

I'm not saying you shouldn't buy trendy tops, it's just that it's always best to buy the right amount of clothes that you need and go hand in hand with your major your daily activities.

So yes, if you for example work as a party/event/club planner then doubling the amount of trendy tops is necessary!

Best Fashion Tops for Your Body Shape

Horizontal Body Shape

Hourglass
Your focus is to show off your well-defined waist. Because of your wide hips and bust/shoulder line, boxy tops tend tops tend to make you look, well, boxy! So look for tops that drape and wrap below your bust.

Your best tops:

Courtesy of Repertoirefashion.co.uk

Nipped at the waist

Belted tops

Wrap tops creates a smooth silhouette on your hourglass body

Low'ish necklines to bring attention to your waist

Tops with bust enhancing necklines such as scoop, sweetheart and bustier

Balanced
Long tops visually shorten your lower body and can make you look stumpy. So if you are curvy (Pear or Hourglass) or short, or carry most of the weight around your hips and thighs, then I suggest working on elongating your legs because this can make you look taller and trimmer.

Classic "Problem Areas"

Muffin Top

I think this is one of the figure "flaws" most of us have (yes, that includes me)! Your goal is to look for top styles that conceal your midsection and fabrics that don't cling to your muffin top - which helps skim past this area.

These muffin top complementing tips work for a body figure with:

High hips

Weight carried around the midsection

Love handles. No matter how much you diet or exercise, they’re still there

Tops to look for:

Courtesy of Calypsostbarth

Shapewear camisole worn under sweaters and shirts & blouses. They work just like body shaper but target your upper body

Structured cardigans (incl. jackets and coats) that can be layered over your tops. This draws attention away from your midriff

Prints and textures with a dark color base – because it camouflages the bumps